Sikh Arms and Armour
Discover the Wallace Collection’s stunning array of arms and armour related to the formidable Sikh Empire.
Chahar-a'ina Detail (1700/1720) by Unknown Artist / MakerThe Wallace Collection
Discover the Wallace Collection's stunning collection of Sikh arms and armor. Witness the artistry and power of this formidable empire.
Chahar-a'ina (1700/1720) by Unknown Artist / MakerThe Wallace Collection
Guru Nanak
The Sikh Faith was founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1539), who travelled throughout Asia spreading a message of Oneness and speaking out against social injustice.
The first in a line of ten spiritual teachers, he revealed the presence of a single God (Waheguru), without form, without end, who is present in all beings, places and times.
Chahar-a'ina Detail (1700/1720) by Unknown Artist / MakerThe Wallace Collection
His portrait is rendered in gold at the center of this steel breastplate, which offered both spiritual and physical protection.
Prayers and supplications along the borders invoke Guru Nanak, Iron, Day, Night, Moon, Sun and the Goddess of War.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh
At the turn of the 19th century, an independent Sikh Empire emerged under Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839) in the region of Punjab. Spanning India and Pakistan, his kingdom was the size of modern-day Germany.
Just 25 years after his death, this sword (shamshir) was exhibited at the Musée Rétrospectif in Paris, as having belonged to the great ruler.
The sword’s rich decoration points to its role as a marker of power and prestige.
Animals are rendered in gold throughout, including a tiger that sits proudly on the crossguard.
The blade is made of highly prized ‘watered steel’, so-called for its wave-like pattern, which only the finest swordsmiths were capable of achieving.
Chakram Chakram (front) (1820/1860) by Unknown Artist / MakerThe Wallace Collection
Ranjit Singh’s Army
The strength of Ranjit Singh’s army lied in its masterful combination of ancient and modern warfare.
Chakram Chakram (back) (1820/1850) by Unknown Artist / MakerThe Wallace Collection
This circular war quoit (chakram, chakkar or chakra) was a favoured weapon among Sikh warriors. The razor-sharp disc was spun on their index finger and flung at opponents to inflict deep gashes and wounds.
Matchlock Gun (1800/1899) by Unknown Artist / MakerThe Wallace Collection
Alongside war quoits, swords and bows and arrows, Ranjit Singh’s army was fitted with firearms. He also employed ex-Napoleonic officers to train his army along European lines.
Matchlock gun (19th Century) by Unknown Artist / MakerThe Wallace Collection
This matchlock musket (banduk toradar) would have originally had a slow burning match cord wrapped around the stock of the gun and held by the lever.
When the trigger was pulled, the lever would drop the lit match cord into the flash pan containing priming powder, thus igniting the main charge.
Lahore
The Sikh Empire’s capital city was Lahore, an important commercial and cultural hub that was renowned for the production of fine arms and armour.
This distinctive style of helmet (taup) was likely produced there.
Helmet (1780/1800) by Unknown Artist / MakerThe Wallace Collection
The upper section was designed to accommodate the turban and topknot worn by Sikh warriors.
Surviving examples of this type of helmet are rare. They were produced for the Fauj-i-Khas, an elite brigade trained by Jean-François Allard, one of Ranjit Singh’s French generals.
Helmet (1780/1800) by Unknown Artist / MakerThe Wallace Collection
The craftsman who made this helmet has cleverly concealed faults in the metal by applying gold decoration.
Shield (1850/1875) by UnknownThe Wallace Collection
Anglo-Sikh Wars
Following Ranjit Singh’s death in 1839, his kingdom was annexed by the British East India Company within a ten-year period. This shield was likely made during this time, as it illustrates the heroes and villains of the two wars which were fought.
Maharaja Duleep Singh (1838-1893)
Among the portraits adorning the border of the shield, is the young prince who ascended the throne at the age of five years old.
Maharaja Duleep Singh would live most his life in Britain, after being forced to surrender the empire he had inherited from his father.
A sword belonging to Maharaja Ranjit SinghThe Wallace Collection
Watch this short film with Davinder Toor and Dr Xavier Bray as they discuss a sword belonging to Maharaja Ranjit Singh or discover the Sikh Empire here.
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